Losing teeth due to an injury or illness can cause speech issues, bone loss, or changes in chewing patterns that cause discomfort. Using dental implants to replace lost teeth can significantly enhance your oral health and quality of life.
Dental implants are made of titanium or ceramic and are fixed into the jawbone to support artificial teeth. They function like the roots of your natural teeth, providing a solid base for either fixed (permanent) or removable replacement teeth. Dental implants look, feel, and work like real teeth and can last a lifetime with proper care.
This treatment is ideal for replacing teeth, thanks to its advantages over older dental restoration techniques. Here are some reasons dental implants suit you and what they can achieve for your dental restoration.
Dental Implants Help Maintain the Health of Your Jawbone
One significant benefit of dental implants is that they can preserve your jawbones. The implants help keep the facial structure intact and enhance appearance. When you lose or damage your natural teeth, the jawbone lacks stimulation for growth. Your body recognizes that the jawbone is no longer needed and breaks it down, redistributing the minerals to different body parts.
Bone loss can lead to facial changes. This effect causes the lips to sag and the lower face to shrink, resulting in what is often called a "witch’s chin.” Wrinkles form around the mouth, leading to “marionette lines,” making a person appear older than they are.
Dental implants can significantly reduce the signs of aging caused by bone loss and facial structure changes. They can also keep your smile looking young for many years.
Neighboring Teeth Are Not Affected During the Restoration Procedure
When replacing teeth using traditional bridges, the adjacent teeth needed to be filed down to attach the bridge. This process permanently affects the tooth structure, which can impact long-term health. Partial dentures also have clasps that hold onto surrounding teeth, causing them to loosen over time as the dentures move.
On the other hand, implant-supported crowns or bridges do not affect the surrounding natural teeth during the installation. They remain safe because your dentist does not need to reshape them to accommodate the implants.
Implants Restore Your Bite Force
People with a complete set of healthy teeth can bite with a force of 200 to 250 pounds per square inch. This strength allows you to eat hard foods like apples and steak. Regular dentures provide about 50 pounds of bite force per square inch, about a quarter of what a normal bite can do.
Dental implants provide a strong base for artificial teeth, allowing most patients to regain 80 to 100 percent of their biting power. Implant-supported teeth are so effective because the implant fuses with the jawbone. When the artificial teeth function like your real teeth, you will find that you can enjoy all your favorite foods again with no restrictions.
Dental Implants Can Improve Your Gum Health
Periodontal disease is a common cause of loose or missing teeth. Once you have this condition, the chances of recurrence increase. If you experience loose or missing teeth because of gum disease, your dentist may recommend dental implants as replacements. Dental implants help keep your gums and jawbone clean by preventing debris and bacteria buildup, which cause periodontal disease.
They Can Last for a Longtime
Dental implants are a long-lasting solution for missing teeth that can endure for many years. With proper dental care, they can last for a lifetime. Unlike dentures, which need replacement every 5 to 10 years, dental implants can stay in place as long as you properly maintain them.
One of the main reasons dental implants are long-lasting is the material used. They are made of titanium, a durable, strong metal often used in the aerospace industry. Since titanium is biocompatible, the implant will bond with the jawbone and become a permanent part of the body’s structure.
Another factor influencing the lifetime of dental implants is their placement in the jawbone. The implants provide additional stability and support, protecting your jawbone and teeth from injury. They also promote bone development, which improves their stability.
They Are Versatile
Partial dentures, complete dentures, and bridges can only replace a certain number of teeth. Therefore, if you have lost many teeth, your choices for treatment might be restricted. Implants are much more flexible. They can support a crown for one tooth, a bridge or partial denture for multiple teeth, or full dentures for all your teeth. This flexibility helps you and your dentist design the most suitable treatment plan for your situation.
Dental Implants Can Protect You Against Potential Chronic Health Problems
Good oral health is closely related to your total physical well-being. Using dental implants to replace missing or loose teeth reduces your risk of developing illnesses like heart disease and dementia.
Studies show a link between poor dental health and heart problems, as well as gum disease and dementia. Research also shows that people with severe gum disease perform poorly on memory tests than people with healthy teeth and gums.
Dental implants are a good choice for replacing teeth because they help stop gum disease. They also prevent oral infections from spreading in the body, lowering the chances of developing long-term health issues.
They Lower the Chance of Future Tooth Loss
Your teeth are anchored by their roots and the teeth around them. When you lose a tooth, it increases the chance of losing more teeth. Dental implants help support the adjacent teeth. They offer support, which reduces the likelihood of other teeth becoming loose and falling out. Teeth without support may begin to lean into the gap, but implants can help avoid this. To prevent further tooth loss, consult your dentist about whether dental implants are a good option.
Dental Implants Help With Speech
Dental implants can also support your speech by filling in gaps where teeth are missing, which can change how air flows in your mouth while speaking. Losing a tooth or more can affect how you pronounce certain words, like “s” and “th,” which require your tongue to touch your teeth.
They can also help preserve the structure of your mouth, which is essential for sound pronunciation.
They Lower the Risk of Cavities
Having missing teeth raises your risk of developing cavities. Brushing and flossing can be challenging when teeth are missing. The spaces can hold food, bacteria, and plaque. Failure to manage tooth plaque causes various oral health issues, including gum disease. To reduce your chance of developing cavities, replace lost teeth and practice oral hygiene.
Dental Implants Are Easy to Clean
Cleaning dentures and bridges can be tricky and time-consuming. Dental implants, on the other hand, are easy to clean, like natural teeth. Even though implants and crowns are made from artificial materials, you should keep them clean.
They might not break down, but the gums and surrounding bone can still suffer from gum disease. Gum disease can weaken the bone and implant bond, possibly leading to implant failure.
Here are some tips for taking care of your dental implants:
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Avoid Tough and Sticky Foods
After receiving dental implants, avoid eating hard or sticky foods while healing. When you have fully recovered, you can eat your regular foods again. Be careful not to chew on the implant areas or bite into hard items like bones or unpopped popcorn kernels.
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Clean Your Teeth Two Times a Day and Floss Regularly
Brush your dental implants twice daily using a soft-bristled toothbrush like you do for your natural teeth. Use gentle toothpaste, too. In addition to brushing, floss daily.
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Avoid Oral Bad Habits
Like natural teeth, you should avoid bad oral habits like smoking or not brushing daily, which can harm dental implants. These can cause gum disease and affect the implant. You should also avoid biting your nails or munching on hard items like ice cubes. Lastly, even though using your teeth for tasks like opening bottles could be tempting, you should avoid it to prevent damage to the implant area or loosening the false teeth.
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Visit Your Dentist Regularly
You should visit your dentist or oral surgeon regularly, particularly during the first year after receiving dental implants. These visits allow your dentist to monitor your healing and ensure your implants work well. If you take good care of your implants and keep up with regular checkups, they can last for many years, possibly even a lifetime.
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Know When to Contact Your Dentist
If you have dental implants, you should know when to contact the dentist. If you notice any sudden pain or swelling near your implant, contact your dentist's office immediately. They will examine the issue and offer the needed treatment.
Dental Implants Restore Your Confidence
When patients lose teeth, they often think that only physical issues like trouble chewing and changes in how they speak can affect them. However, they may not be ready for the psychological effects of tooth loss. Due to missing teeth, you can struggle with shame, embarrassment, and self-consciousness in your personal and work relationships. These feelings can lead to stress, depression, and anxiety. Some people may try to avoid social gatherings, which can result in loneliness and make the problem worse.
Dental implants can help rebuild your confidence by providing a natural-looking and functional set of teeth. They are designed to fit perfectly in the space left by your missing teeth. The outcome is a new smile that blends well with your existing teeth, allowing you to smile freely without worrying about visible gaps.
They Have a Faster Recovery Time
One advantage of modern dental implants is faster recovery time. Dental implants allow quicker recovery than traditional tooth replacement methods, which can take weeks or months to heal. The installation involves inserting an artificial tooth root (a titanium post) into the jawbone. This post eventually bonds with the bone, providing a strong base for the new tooth or teeth.
Thanks to improvements in technology and techniques, many dental implant surgeries are now less invasive. This results in less discomfort for patients and shorter overall recovery times.
A quicker recovery also means patients can return to their daily routines fast. Eating, speaking, and smiling are less likely to be interrupted for long due to missing teeth or poorly fitting dentures.
They are Comfortable
Using traditional dental restoration techniques can be challenging and uncomfortable for individuals, especially if they include alternatives such as removable dentures. Removable dentures can cause irritation, sores, and continuous discomfort, especially while speaking or eating. There is also anxiety about whether the removable alternatives will fall out when you talk, eat, or smile.
Additionally, you may notice that some dental restoration methods require dietary and lifestyle changes. Certain foods can cause the removable dentures to fall off, affecting your quality of life. You do not need to change anything about what you consume or your dental care routine when you have dental implants.
After having your dental implant fixed, you might feel odd. However, once you are comfortable with your new tooth, you will not have to think about it much daily, except for keeping it clean. Once it settles into the jawbone, it will feel like your other teeth.
Fewer Dentist Visits
Advanced dental implants require fewer trips to the dentist. Unlike dentures or bridges, dental implants are made to be durable solutions for missing teeth.
The dental implant procedure involves several visits, but once the implant is placed and healed, it can last many years without much work. It means you will not have to go for regular check-ups or replacements like you would with other options.
Having fewer dental visits can also save you time and money over time. Dental treatments can be expensive, so reducing your visits can help keep costs down. Choosing advanced dental implants improves oral health while offering convenience and savings on follow-up visits.
Find an Encino Dentist Near Me
Dental implants offer many benefits for those who want to improve their oral health. They stimulate the growth of your jawbone, boost confidence, lower the chance of losing teeth, speed up healing, and need fewer dental visits after recovery. If you are considering dental implants, you should talk to a qualified dental expert to assist you.
If you want to learn more about implants or have questions about the procedure, Lasting Impressions Dental Spa is here to help. Our experienced dentists in Encino, CA, can conduct an initial consultation to determine whether this dental option suits you. Call our dental clinic today at 818-751-5100 to set up your appointment.
